Amilla Maldives is offering guests a curated selection of transformative wellness experiences in the coming months with some exceptional healers and practitioners from around the world. These unique journeys will immerse guests in holistic therapies, martial arts and spiritual healing, each designed to promote wellbeing, personal growth, and inner peace.

Pallavi Sawant brings her expertise as an Osho disciple and holistic healer to Amilla Maldives until 8th February 2025. Offering a blend of traditional and modern wellness therapies, including Chi Nei Tsang (Internal Organ Massage), Tibetan Sound Healing, and Anti-Gravity Yoga, Pallavi’s sessions are designed to rejuvenate the body, release emotional blockages, and promote deep relaxation. Additional offerings like Full Moon and New Moon Rituals to foster spiritual growth are also available.

Lisa Eve will guide guests from 1st to 10th February 2025 through deeply healing experiences focusing on self-love, clarity, and empowerment. Her therapies include Intuitive Lifestyle Coaching, and Holographic Kinetics, aimed at helping guests release emotional blocks, restore balance, and gain clarity. Lisa’s intuitive approach to wellness encourages to create lasting inner peace and transformation.

Dr. Sohal Shah, affectionately known as Soho, will offer his unique blend of traditional and modern therapies from 10th February to 10th March 2025. A Melbourne-based holistic healing expert with Ayurvedic roots, Dr. Sohal’s expertise spans five countries. Known for his celebrity-favourite Cosmetic Acupuncture and Hypno-Meditation sessions, he combines ancient practices with modern techniques like Acupuncture and Cupping, promoting the body’s natural healing in the serene environment of Amilla Maldives.

Karol Krauser Hasegawa is our next wellness expert bringing over 35 years of experience, to our program. From 11th March to 30th April 2025, Karol will guide guests through a unique blend of traditional martial and healing arts, paired with mindful movement practices and stress reduction. Combining modern sports medicine with traditional healing arts, Karol offers personalized sessions in Filipino Kali, Kuntao Silat, Tai Chi & Qigong, kickboxing, and restorative bodywork to strengthen both body and mind.

Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa offers guests an opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a romantic all-pool villa retreat in the Indian Ocean. A selection of heartfelt experiences has been designed to inspire and create cherished new memories.

The day can begin with a floating breakfast served in the privacy of each villa’s pool. Beautifully adorned with fresh island blooms, the tray includes a basket of heart-shaped pastries and a chocolate cake. Luxurious additions such as red and white wine, as well as Champagne, are available to enhance the experience. Another indulgence includes the Vine and Velvet Romance set, featuring decadent chocolate-dipped strawberries accompanied by a bottle of Champagne, sparkling wine, or rosé. Delivered directly to the villa, this treat serves as a sweet daytime surprise or a romantic conclusion to the evening.

For those who appreciate cocktails, the resort’s resident mixologists have curated a selection of rose-colored signature drinks available throughout the day at Aura Pool Bar. These include the Scarlet Kiss, an indulgent blend of vanilla-infused Absolut Elyx and strawberry Campari, topped with luscious Champagne foam; Whisper of Romance, a delicate mix of lemongrass-infused Botanist gin, fresh citrus, and Prosecco; and La Vie en Rose, a sophisticated combination of Malfy Pink Gin and Chambord, with clarified pink guava, rose syrup, and clarified yuzu.

Eden, the adults-only overwater champagne and gin bar, presents a special Sundowner Session, featuring live DJ music and breathtaking views of the Maldivian sunset.

As evening falls, an array of elevated dining experiences awaits. Beach Shack provides a relaxed island setting with its Seaside Rendezvous set menu, which includes the rich flavours of Maldivian lobster complemented by a marble and caviar sauce, as well as garlic-crusted ocean trout served with gnocchi and Champagne beurre blanc. At the overwater specialty restaurant Origin, Chef Dario Raia offers authentic Italian dishes, with the Amore Mio add-on ensuring a table on the coveted lower deck and elegant floral arrangements enhancing the atmosphere. Habitat presents a bountiful buffet featuring a diverse selection of international dishes.

For a particularly special evening, the Starlit Lovers experience is available, limited to four tables. The carefully crafted menu begins with fresh oysters topped with cured salmon roe, yuzu, and jalapeño sauce, concluding with Two Hearts, a dessert featuring Belgian chocolate and hazelnut crunch, Ivoire chocolate and raspberry crémeux, raspberry gelato, and milk chocolate Chantilly. To conclude the night, a cozy beachside cinema experience, Romantic Reels, invites guests to enjoy a film under the stars.

Amingiri Spa & Hammam introduces a signature treatment for the month of February, where couples are treated to a tranquil flower petal foot soak followed by a side-by-side chocolate wrap, enveloping the senses in soothing aromas. The experience concludes with a hot stone fusion massage, designed to relieve tension and foster a sense of deep relaxation and connection.

For wellness enthusiasts, an extensive Sleep Wellness menu is available, aimed at guiding the mind and body into deep, rejuvenating rest. Options include a calming signature massage on the spa’s Skye deck, an evening hammam ritual in the modern hammam room, or an in-villa session incorporating guided meditation, yoga, and breath-work.

Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf has once again been recognised in the prestigious Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, reflecting its unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding hospitality. Among its properties, the resorts in the Maldives have achieved remarkable scores, highlighting their dedication to creating exceptional guest experiences.

The Maldives properties have received the following ratings out of 10:

• Constance Halaveli Maldives – 9.7
• Constance Moofushi Maldives – 9.6

These impressive scores underscore the high standards of service, luxurious accommodations, and unique experiences offered at these renowned Maldivian resorts.

Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “These awards are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team, who continually go above and beyond to provide guests with a vibrant atmosphere, high-quality experiences, and exceptional value.”

With these accolades, Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf further cements its reputation as a leading luxury hospitality provider in the Maldives, ensuring guests an unforgettable stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.

As a part of UNESCO’s Youth as Researchers programme in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, youth researchers selected for the programme documented their perspectives on social issues in the Region and beyond. These perspectives have been published in the form of “Youth as Researchers: Perspectives from Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” a publication launched online on the UNESDOC platform in February 2024. By harnessing their unique insights and experiences, these young individuals have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of various issues affecting their communities.

The Youth as Researchers (YAR) initiative was developed to offer comprehensive training and mentorship, guiding youth on research approaches to generate evidence-based findings on topic that are relevant and important to young people. By instilling a sense of depth and purpose in their research endeavors, YAR empowers young researchers to effectively advocate for issues that resonate with them, thus driving meaningful impact and positive societal change.

In Sri Lanka and the Maldives, UNESCO's YAR programme took on a special significance, focusing on strengthening youth-led action research and evidence-building, particularly related to issues of peace and social cohesion. The initiative sought to amplify youth voices on peace and security matters, ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes and documenting successful youth-led solutions to identified local challenges.

From the pool of talented young individuals, 79 youth researchers were shortlisted and underwent training and mentorship, learning essential research skills and methodologies to conduct meaningful social research. UNESCO, in collaboration with its local project partner Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) - also associated with UNESCO as Co-Chair, UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education - organized a comprehensive six-day training program spread over nearly three months. The training aimed to equip participants with a thorough understanding of community-based participatory research, covering a range of topics including political participation, mental well-being, economic crisis and its implications, social cohesion, and gender equality.

Youth constitute a significant demographic globally, contributing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to society. Their voices are essential in decision-making processes as they directly experience the impacts of policies and initiatives on education, employment, healthcare, and the environment. Engaging youth in discussions on contemporary challenges such as climate change and social justice ensures their ownership by empowering them to participate actively in shaping policies and programs that directly affect their lives, fostering a sense of responsibility and investment in the outcomes.

Looking ahead, UNESCO remains committed to supporting youth-led initiatives like YAR, which play a vital role in advancing youth empowerment, promoting positive youth development, and fostering inclusive societies. Through continued collaboration and partnership, UNESCO aims to amplify youth voices, address pressing social issues, and nurture inclusive communities. 

Set on blissful Vagaru Island hugged by the cerulean waters of the Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is a five-star, multi-generational haven that focuses on every aspect of a guest’s well being. Here, time seems to stand still as you and your loved ones are invited to get back in touch with your authentic selves and fully embrace the present moment. Find out what makes a stay at the JW Marriott Maldives so transformative.

The Property and Setting

The setting at the JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa is piercingly beautiful, offering not just pristine, soft sand beaches, but also a verdant swathe of tropical trees and flora. The lush jungle canopy peppered throughout the island really accentuates the sensation that you are on a naturally-formed, idyllic island where sand and surf exist in harmony with Mother Nature’s green spaces.

While the resort certainly pays homage to its gorgeous natural surroundings, it puts an equal emphasis on opulence. The overall design of the property mixes natural island elements with contemporary sophistication, creating a sense of luxury that’s grounded in nature. Well-maintained pathways cut gently through lush greenery, connecting the various parts of the resort and villas, while still inducing a feeling of seclusion. The use of stone, wood and thatch showcase a welcoming Maldivian aesthetic, while modern architecture evoke an atmosphere of understated elegance.

Underpinning the personality of the property is a welcoming ambiance that prioritizes solicitous, genuinely friendly service that makes the resort feel upscale yet accessible.

The Rooms

With pristine beaches, cerulean seas and achingly gorgeous sunsets, is there a reason to ever stay indoors for long when in the Maldives? The accommodations at the JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa are certainly up to the task of tempting you to linger inside.

There are 60 thoughtfully designed villas with a beach or overwater setting, as well as a sunrise or sunset option. Each of the airy, sophisticated villas features sky-high ceilings and plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows so you’re never long without your jaw-dropping view. The expansive, modern interiors have plush, comfortable furnishings that will tempt you to curl up with a good book. Though it’s likely that the unobstructed ocean view will succeed in drawing you outside — after all, the warm embrace of the aquamarine waters is just steps away.

Adding to the elevated allure of the villas is the evocative Maldivian design — note how the thatched roofs resemble inverted Dhoni boats used by local fishermen? Inside, warm wooden touches and hues of white and ecru evoke the unspoiled beaches and lush landscape, while hits of gold mimic the playful dance of sunbeams and gossamer, blossom-shaped pendant lights float overhead. Elegant marble bathrooms feature a separate bathtub and shower, a bidet, double vanities and bespoke amenities from Aromatherapy Associates. Come nighttime, pour yourself a glass of bubbly and enjoy a soak in your deep bathtub as you listen to the soft call of the waves. Each villa also comes complete with large wooden decks, private pools and outdoor showers. Committed to ensuring you make the most of your stay, all guests get a personalized Thakuru (butler).

Dining

The JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has clearly made it a mission to ensure guests relish the very best culinary offerings.

Shio

Is it possible to have the best steak meal of your life on a remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean? Treat yourself to a meal at carnivore-oasis Shio and discover the answer for yourself. Meat lovers should consider ordering the Butcher’s Block, which features a succulent Gold Label Black Angus filet, Sher Wagyu tenderloin (never has meat melted so tenderly on your tongue) and 150-day grain fed striploin with your choice of two sides. To ensure that diners experience an unforgettable meal, the restaurant even offers a selection of different meat knives, salts and six different varieties of butter. The restaurant has an impressive wine list but consider trying an off-menu but highly recommended gin and fresh passionfruit cocktail with your meal — it sets off the richness of the meat beautifully. Nearby bar Wabi-Sabi also has plenty to tempt you with, including unique smoked and Japanese-inspired cocktails.

Hashi

Feast on an array of indulgent and painstakingly prepared Japanese dishes at Hashi. The sushi and sashimi platter (with a side of Ebi shrimp tempura) will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. The “problem” comes at dessert time: tangy yuzu cheesecake, rich matcha cream brulee or a black sesame parfait — what to choose? Do yourself a favor and order all three.

Wine Room

Looking for an epicurean evening that you’ll never forget? Then book a private meal in the Wine Room. This is not your average food and wine pairing. In an opulent private room surrounded by some of the world’s finest vintages, knowledgeable sommelier Lahiru Fernando will regale you with captivating tales of winemaking and intriguing insights into the noble grape. You’ll enjoy expertly prepared dishes like lobster salad, pan-fried foie gras and luscious lamb rack, each paired with a thoughtfully chosen wine from around the globe. As you eat and sip, Lahiru explains — with infectious enthusiasm — what makes the pairing such a captivating combination. If you can only splurge on one meal, this is it. Kosher and Italian wine pairings are also available.

Aailaa

This all-day beachside restaurant has an incredible spread for breakfast, including live cooking stations, gluten-free and special kid-friendly offerings, as well as Maldivian, Western, Indian and Asian fare (note that unlike some resorts, there is no free-flowing bubbly on offer which can be a small bummer if you’re a die-hard mimosa fan). The selection of fruit and fresh juices alone is dizzying — trust me, you’ll want to wear your stretchy pants. The restaurant also serves lunch, as well as an a la carte dinner (complete with vegan options) that also showcases Maldivian, Western and Asian delights.

Kaashi

Featuring what is possibly one of the most enchanting restaurant locations in the whole of the Maldives, this relaxed Thai eatery is actually perched in the trees, hovering serenely above a powdery sand beach on the island’s southern tip. Sous chef Narawat Laksanayame, lovingly known as “Mama,” creates flavorful, home-style Thai fare that will warm your spirit — and your belly. The standouts are the can’t-stop-eating Kao Suey and the refreshing Som Tam salad. The restaurant’s bar, Rum Baan, highlights Thai-inspired rum drinks and boasts a collection of over 90 rums from around the globe.

Fiamma

Sit by the pool and enjoy freshly made Italian food at this laid-back al fresco restaurant. Chow down on beloved Italian dishes like risotto, bruschetta, pasta and pizzas cooked in a wood-fire oven. The classic tiramisu is the ideal end to a tasty meal. Still have room for more? Grab a swing seat at pool-side Horizon bar and sip on a zesty tropical drink.

If the five restaurants and three bars aren’t enough to sate your hunger, the resort also has dining options designed to make your stay extra special, including a Maldivian favorite: the floating breakfast. Is there anything more indulgent that munching on avocado toast and eggs Benedict as you toast the morning with champagne from the comfort of your private pool? The resort also offers BBQ beach diners and Maldivian dinners complete with traditional drum song.

Activities

The JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa prides itself on offering guests an abundance of adult and family-friendly activities. The overwater fitness center is small but modern and looks out over a lagoon in which small blacktip reef sharks are often seen. There are also two large pools overlooking the ocean, as well as a kids’ pool at the resort’s Little Griffins Kids Club.

Arguably the most essential activity to add to your must-do list while at the resort is the Spa by JW. Serenely elegant and luxurious, the spa (which also houses a salon for hair care) has large treatment rooms that overlook the ocean and have some of the best views on the island. Each one is designed as a separate island-inspired cabana so you have complete privacy. If you’re feeling indulgent or are celebrating a special occasion, try to book the deluxe treatment suite that has its very own plunge pool, steam room and large rain shower that comes complete with a unique sound library of things like birdsong or rainforest harmonies.

The extensive list of spa treatments promises respite for tight muscles, skin in need of hydration and a spirit longing for relaxation. The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience is a winner for guests who want to be completely pampered with a restorative full-body aromatherapy treatment that uses a customized mix of therapeutic essential oils. The effects last long after you’ve returned home. The spa also offers daily complimentary activities like sunset yoga, Pilates and meditation classes as well.

Sustainability is a priority at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. Not only does the resort have its own on-site water bottling plant to prevent the use of plastic, it also offers eco-conservation activities and even recently introduced JW Garden. The bountiful garden and greenhouse (which can be toured) grow an impressive selection of herbs, fruits and vegetables which are then used at the resort’s restaurants and bars so you can have a genuine Maldivian farm-to-table experience. Guests can also sign up for a Garden to Glass cocktail class where they’ll harvest herbs and fruit from the garden and then learn how to make a refreshing cocktail and mocktail with the delicious, fresh ingredients.

As you might expect, the resort’s Dive Center has a striking selection of water-based activities to keep guests entertained. Try your hand at scuba diving, day and night snorkeling, dolphin cruises, sunset fishing cruises and more. A nice extra is that non-motorized activities like kayaking and paddle-boarding are free, as are the use of snorkels and fins.

The resort is also very serious about ensuring kids have an equally as unforgettable stay as their parents and boasts one of the biggest kids’ clubs in the Maldives — complete with kids’ pool and a giant wooden boat just dying to be climbed and crawled through. The Little Griffins Kids Club is truly a energy-filled oasis where parents can send their children for the whole day to enjoy unique daily programs that include over a hundred distinct fun activities like handicrafts, pizza making, nature discovery, beach Olympics, kite flying and more. Best of all, children under 12 eat free, enjoying curated menus just for the little ones. Traveling with a teenager? No worries! The resort even has that rarest extra of all: a Teen Lounge devoted to the needs of those 12 and above. It features Play Stations, pool tables and even a teen-only plunge pool. The resort really does its utmost to help kids of all ages feel like VIPs.

Most Indian tourists appear to be heading to Sri Lanka after a diplomatic row between India and the Maldives. As a result of this, Sri Lanka received more tourists than Maldives in January 2024. Male-based news outlet Adhadhu reported that tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka lagged behind the Maldives over the past four years. But in January, Sri Lanka surpassed Maldives in tourist arrivals. Last month, 192,385 tourists visited the Maldives, while 208,253 tourists visited Sri Lanka - up by over 1 lakh recorded in last January. 

In January, a row broke out between Male and New Delhi following some comments by Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. Indian tourists reacted sharply and started a 'boycott Maldives' campaign. 

Also read: Amid diplomatic row, Maldives sees massive drop in Indian tourists in first 3 weeks of January

Adhadhu said a massive surge in Indian tourists visiting was one reason behind the 100 percent increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in January. In January last year, 13,759 Indians had visited Sri Lanka but that number jumped 2.5 times to 34,399 this January. While the number of Indian tourists to Sri Lanka surged, Maldives recorded a significant drop from 17,029 last January to 15,006 this year. 

India also emerged as the top source of tourists to Sri Lanka in January.

Meanwhile, the Maldives have witnessed a decline in the number of Indian tourists, who till recently topped the list of visitors to the island nation. From being the top tourist group visiting the Maldives, Indians slipped to fifth position in the last three weeks of January, according to the data analysed by news agency PTI. 

In the last three years, over 2 lakh Indians visited Maldives annually - the highest from any country post-Covid. However, India's contribution which was highest till recently slipped to the fifth position. According to the statistics, Maldives received over 1.74 lakh tourists till January 28 this year, of which only 13,989 were Indians.

Russia topped the chart with 18,561 tourists from the country visiting Maldives, followed by Italy (18,111), China (16,529), and the UK (14,588). Germany is in the sixth spot followed by the USA, France, Poland and Switzerland. Over 17 lakh tourists visited the island nation in 2023, of which the maximum were Indians (2,09,198) followed by Russians (2,09,146) and Chinese (1,87,118). The number of Indian visitors to Maldives was more than 2.4 lakh in 2022 and over 2.11 lakh in 2021. 

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who is determined to remove Indian troops from the country, appears to be moderating his stance a bit under pressure from the public and opposition parties in the archipelago nation. Muizzu, who is pro-China, last month gave a deadline of March 15 to India to withdraw about 80 troops stationed there. After returning from his first China visit, he also launched a broadside against India saying, in the presence of Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar, "We may be small but that doesn't give you the license to bully us."

However, Muizzu has now said Male cannot produce results by being short-tempered during talks for the removal of Indian soldiers from the Maldives, local news organisation Adhadhu reported on Thursday. "These are things that can be achieved by talking nicely and properly explaining in a manner that everyone could believe that our country is an independent and democratic country," Muizzu said. "You can't achieve things by being short-tempered."

Also read: 'Maldives' economy in trouble': Muizzu says can't launch development projects due to high debt
  
Muizzu came to power on an 'India Out' campaign. After taking over as President, he visited China instead of New Delhi, which was the tradition. His government also ordered Turkish drones to patrol the exclusive economic zone, which was so far patrolled jointly with the Indian Navy.

But Muizzu's verbal attack on India has upset his countrymen and opposition parties, who believe the Maldivian President should not have gone so far as to call New Delhi a 'bully'. They also said that Muizzu should have followed proper diplomatic rules while conveying his grievances to New Delhi.

On Thursday, the Maldivian President admitted that established rules and norms should be followed to produce results. "It will be very easy to criticize from afar. Anyone can do that. But reality doesn't change because of that criticism. Things can be achieved when you do things the way it's supposed to be done," he said.

Muizzu also tried to contain the diplomatic fallout by saying he was not the enemy of any country. He said other people were trying to pin that label on the government. "We are not being an enemy. It is other people who want to create that enmity. They want to use that label. I say what I say very clearly, very directly, so clearly that you can't take a second meaning from it," he was quoted as saying by Adhadhu.

Ex-President Yameen blames deputy ministers for strained ties with India

Meanwhile, former President Abdulla Yameen, who also favoured China during his term from 2013 to 2018, has said that Male's long-standing friendly relations with India deteriorated due to the derogatory remarks by three deputy ministers against PM Modi. He said he had no hostility towards New Delhi despite launching the "India Out" campaign to remove Indian soldiers from Maldives. "To a level that we cannot accept, three people who were in responsible positions used insulting language and made derogatory remarks. That is what the Indian government cannot accept," he was quoted as saying by Adhadhu.

Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim said Muizzu must formally apologize to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his verbal attacks. Qasim referred to Muizzu's statement where he said the Maldives was not in the backyard of any particular country and that the Maldives would not allow other countries to "bully". 

Indian Troops in Maldives

India has 77 Indian soldiers in Maldives besides 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces. These soldiers provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents. New Delhi has given Male two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, which are mostly used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations, and medical evacuations. The Indian troops manage these operations.